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Kolkata bridge collapse: Rescue operations on
Rescue operations are still going on Wednesday after a portion of a 40-year-old bridge collapsed in south Kolkata a day earlier.
A part of the Majherhat bridge between Taratala and Mominpur collapsed around 4.30 p.m. on Tuesday. So far, one person has died and 19 others injured in the accident.
“Our team is still working on the rescue. Overnight and this morning, we tried to dig holes on the concrete slab decks that caved in, to find out whether anyone is still trapped underneath.
“Cameras are also being used to find out what remains below the debris. Removing the rubble would take more time,” a member of the rescue team said on Wednesday.
Four teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade and personnel of disaster management teams are at the spot.
Cranes have been deployed and gas cutters were being used for the rescue operation. Three columns of army personnel were also present at the spot.
The West Bengal government has initiated a probe into the incident. IANS
What is NDRF?
The National Disaster Response Force has been created in 2006 for specialist response during natural and man-made disasters. Now, it has 12 battalions that have been deployed across the country.
The NDRF is under the National Disaster Management Authority, an agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs which coordinates response to disasters. NDRF, a force raised by bringing on deputation personnel from paramilitary forces, is the first responder in case of any natural or man-made disaster.
In Kolkata and in the recent floods in Kerala, the NDRF teams swung into action.
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